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TWO New Zealanders are dead after their plane crashed in South Africa while flying in formation with two other aircraft filled with tourists on safari.

Richard Primrose, a Pukekohe father of two girls, was killed with fellow Kiwi John Walton when the Cessna 182 they were in crashed into mountains in remote Mpumalanga, 300km north-east of Johannesburg, which was their destination.

Mr Primrose's wife and daughters were being supported by family last night.

The president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Ian Andrews, said the two men were "fantastic people".

"They're top guys. Something has gone tragically wrong. I won't speculate on the cause [because] everyone wants to speculate on plane crashes."

It's understood they were leading the safari - the third trip Mr Primrose had organised - when the tragedy occurred on Thursday.

The South African news website Beeld.com reported the aircraft might have been caught in a strong gust before it slammed into the mountains.

Witnesses reportedly saw one of the planes "struggling" and soon after heard a loud bang.

An air force helicopter found the wreckage on Thursday afternoon.

Crew on a medical helicopter that went to the crash scene found the plane had crashed in an area of thick clay and bush.